ADVANTAGES

Modern refractors are generally
regarded as giving you very sharp views and offer high contrast of
objects.

This type of telescope is great at
viewing the bright objects within the Solar System.

Best for the planets and the moons.

Refractors are good at separating
binary stars into the component stars, as there are no obstructions
from the secondary mirror.

If your viewing area is light polluted
then a refractor may be the better choice as deep-sky observing is
limited.

Sealed in its tube, they require little
to no maintenance and rarely if ever need collimation.

Refractors offer some good benefits to
the backyard stargazer but there are limitations as well.

DISADVANTAGES

Some of the drawbacks of refractors is
that they can get quite expensive as they get larger.

Using a precisely ground lens instead
of mirrors makes manufacture more costly.

Aperture size is the most important
feature of any telescope as this will determine what you could
possibly see. Grinding glass lenses cost more per inch(or mm). You
could most likely get 1.5 to 2 times as much aperture in a reflector
for the same price.

Refractors also get bigger and bulkier
as the aperture increases.
You will notice that in the Orion
product catalog the largest aperture refractor is just under
5in(120mm).

Glass lenses also have chromatic
aberration. This happens because of the light scattering into
different wavelengths as it bends and is “refracted”. This effect gets worse as the aperture
gets larger and with shorter focal lengths.

This problem is lessened
by refractors made with achromatic lenses and virtually
eliminated in apochromatic refractors.

These type of lenses though tend to
increase the price of the telescope even more.

Cheaply made refractors also tend to be
the type of scope advertised in department stores and the like. These
bad scopes that promise “x” amount of power and magnification
that is just not realistic have ruined the night sky for many budding stargazers.

Do not buy a telescope from this type
of store. Find a reputable telescope dealer, either online or
offline.

CONCLUSION

If
you have decided that a refracting telescope is the best choice at
this time based on your studies then I have some recommendations.

No
matter what stay away from the big box everything stores. Buy from a
telescope dealer.

If
budget concerns create a problem then consider a low cost item from a
telescope dealer or a good pair of quality binoculars.

Good
binoculars will serve you well to make sure you actually enjoy your
new hobby and you want to save up for a telescope at a later time.